divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

1

a

: moving or extending in different directions from a common point : diverging from each other

divergent paths

see also divergent evolution

b

: differing from each other or from a standard

the divergent interests of capital and labor

2

mathematics : relating to or being an infinite (see infinite entry 1 sense 4c) sequence that does not have a limit or an infinite series whose partial sums do not have a limit

3

physics : causing rays (see ray entry 2 sense 1b) to draw apart from a common center : causing divergence of rays

a divergent lens

divergently adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for divergent

different, diverse, divergent, disparate, various mean unlike in kind or character.

different may imply little more than separateness but it may also imply contrast or contrariness.

different foods

diverse implies both distinctness and marked contrast.

such diverse interests as dancing and football

divergent implies movement away from each other and unlikelihood of ultimate meeting or reconciliation.

went on to pursue divergent careers

disparate emphasizes incongruity or incompatibility.

disparate notions of freedom

various stresses the number of sorts or kinds.

tried various methods

Examples of divergent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ethiopia, the world’s largest landlocked country, has been torn apart over the past decade by the divergent goals of ethnic political groups seeking to keep the country decentralized, and the centralizing crusade of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2026

These two nationalist traditions offered starkly different diagnoses of Brazil’s problems and divergent political prescriptions. — Andre Pagliarini, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

The stocks’ divergent movement came after news Monday morning of a settlement between Paramount and 12 state attorneys general. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 21 Sep. 2026

Mike Madrid, a political consultant and expert on Latino voting patterns, cautioned against viewing divergent Latino political attitudes as driven predominantly by gender. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin dīvergent-, dīvergens, present participle of dīvergere "to proceed in different directions, diverge"

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing divergent

• divergent evolution

Rhymes for divergent

• convergent
• detergent
• emergent
• insurgent
• resurgent
• urgent

Kids Definition

divergent

adjective

di·​ver·​gent də-ˈvər-jənt 

dī-

: diverging from each other

divergently adverb